YSI

Young Social Innovators (YSI)

Empowering Students to Lead Change

At Killorglin Community College, YSI is a flagship Transition Year programme where students identify real-world issues, design solutions, and lead change in their school, local community, and beyond.

National Gold Award Winners – The Oasis Project

In 2026, Killorglin Community College achieved its greatest success in Young Social Innovators when The Oasis Project was awarded the National Gold Award — the highest honour in the entire competition.

This award is presented to the single most outstanding YSI project in Ireland. Competing against 324 projects from schools nationwide, The Oasis Project was selected as the overall winner.

The Oasis Project is a student-led wellbeing initiative that teaches practical emotional regulation skills through the Pantheon HXR Gauntlet, a series of movement, breathing, and grounding stations available to all students. By making these strategies visible and accessible, the project promotes wellbeing, inclusion, and focus while reducing stigma around support.

National Recognition

Healthy Connections Award Winner 2026
National Gold Award Winner – Overall Winner 2026

Being named the overall winner placed Killorglin Community College at the forefront of youth-led social innovation in Ireland.

Speak Out – Student Voice on Stage

A key milestone in the YSI journey is the Speak Out event, where students present their projects to a live audience. This develops confidence, public speaking, teamwork, and advocacy.

For shortlisted teams, the journey continues to the National YSI Awards, where students present their ideas to national organisations, community leaders, and decision-makers.

A Tradition of National Success

Killorglin Community College has built a proud record of national achievement in YSI.

Bridging the Generations

A project focused on reducing loneliness and strengthening connections between generations.
National Category Winner

GameChangHER

A project promoting gender equality in sport and encouraging greater participation and visibility for girls and young women.
National Category Winner

Greener and Cleaner

A student-led sustainability project focused on reducing single-use plastics and encouraging environmentally responsible habits.
Sustainability for Our Planet Award Winner 2026

The Oasis Project

A wellbeing-focused initiative and the most successful YSI project in the school’s history.
Healthy Connections Award Winner 2026
National Gold Award Winner – Overall Winner 2026

An Outstanding Record

In recent years, Killorglin Community College students have achieved:

Nine projects shortlisted for the National YSI Awards
Four national category award winners
One National Gold Award Winner
Recognition on national stages including Croke Park and the Aviva Stadium

Why YSI Matters

YSI helps students to:

Lead positive change
Build confidence and communication skills
Work as part of a team
Research real-world issues
Develop creative solutions
Advocate for others

The programme reflects our school values of Care, Community, Respect, Equality, and Excellence in Education.

Looking Ahead

Each year, new Transition Year students take up the YSI challenge with fresh ideas and energy. At Killorglin Community College, YSI continues to be one of the strongest expressions of student voice, innovation, and leadership in action.